Build an ADU in Nelson.
New Hampshire's HB 577 lets you add one accessory dwelling unit on your single-family lot in Nelson — by-right. A detached ADU can be up to 950 sf, and ADU setbacks match your lot's single-family setbacks.
2 districts
Each district's single-family setbacks — which your ADU follows. The primary residential district is highlighted.
Verified against the official Nelson zoning ordinance · source · 2026-07-07
- Front
- 50 ft
- Side
- 25 ft
- Rear
- 25 ft
- Max coverage
- 25% building
- Min lot
- 87,120 sf (~2.00 ac)
Nelson has only TWO districts (Art 2): the Rural-Residential District (all land NOT within 600 ft of a named lake/pond shoreline) and the Lake District. IMPORTANT front-setback datum: 'Street Line' is defined (Art 14) as the location of an established stone wall bordering the…
- Front
- 50 ft
- Side
- 25 ft
- Rear
- 25 ft
- Max coverage
- 25% building
- Min lot
- 87,120 sf (~2.00 ac)
Overlay-style shoreland district: all land from the reference line (shoreline per RSA 483-B) of nine named waterbodies (Granite Lake, Silver Lake, Center Pond, Woodward Pond, Rye Pond, White Pond, Nubanusit Lake, Tolman Pond, Spoonwood Pond) back 600 ft (Art 2).
Form-based and downtown districts may use build-to lines instead of fixed setbacks (shown as “—”); verify your parcel's district before you build.
Nelson ADU FAQ
Yes. Under NH RSA 674:71-73 (HB 577), one accessory dwelling unit is allowed by-right on single-family lots statewide, including Nelson (Cheshire County). A detached ADU can be up to 950 sf.
In Nelson's RR zone, ADUs follow the single-family setbacks: 50 ft front, 25 ft side, and 25 ft rear. Nelson has 2 zoning districts in total — see the full table below. Confirm your exact zone with the town.